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. 2022 Jun;38(3):493-511.
doi: 10.1111/jrh.12619. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

The role of digital health technology in rural cancer care delivery: A systematic review

Bonny B Morris  1 , Brianna Rossi  1 , Bernard Fuemmeler  1
Affiliations

The role of digital health technology in rural cancer care delivery: A systematic review

Bonny B Morris et al. J Rural Health. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: Rural residents face higher cancer incidence rates and mortality rates, disparities that could be mitigated with health technology interventions, yet a digital divide is also apparent. This paper systematically and critically examines existing literature to understand how digital technologies have been used to support rural oncology care.

Methods: PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords. Studies were eligible if they presented empirical data investigating the use of technology in rural oncology and were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal within the last decade. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality.

Findings: Digital health has been less extensively utilized in rural oncology compared with the general cancer population and other chronic diseases. We identified 54 studies that used technology in rural cancer care delivery, a comparatively small number, representing a significant gap in the literature. Studies were classified into 4 categories: Telemedicine (n = 32), phone calls (n = 11), Internet (n = 9), and mobile phone (n = 2). Of the 54 articles, 12 were RCTs, 17 were quasi-experimental, 3 were descriptive, 12 were mixed methods, and 10 were qualitative. Most of the studies involved patients only (n = 31) and were not specific to a cancer type (n = 41).

Conclusions: Further implementation and expansion of telemedicine and phone-based strategies in rural cancer care delivery are warranted. Rural cancer survivors value digital approaches to their care. However, social and behavioral determinants of health and access to technology must be considered.

Keywords: cancer care delivery; digital health; oncology; rural; telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURES

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flowchart of article review and selection
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Completeness of manuscript reporting for assessing quality by study type
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) score by study design
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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